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What is the Connection Between Infection Control and Hand Hygiene?

Maggie Worth
Maggie Worth

The connection between infection control and hand hygiene has been proven through numerous studies. Proper hand hygiene procedures have been clearly shown to significantly reduce the spread of infection in health care settings such as doctor's offices and hospitals. Most such facilities now have specific hygiene policies specifically intended to control infection. Many federal and local governments actually mandate such policies.

In the early days of medicine, it was common practice for doctors, nurses and other health care workers to move from one patient to the next without even washing their hands. At the time, science had not yet discovered the relationship between infection control and hand hygiene. As a result, many patients with minor illnesses worsened and even died because they contracted severe infections from a doctor's previous patient. New mothers, in particular, often died during or shortly after childbirth because of infections transmitted by the doctor performing the delivery.

Regular hand washing can help minimize the spread of infections.
Regular hand washing can help minimize the spread of infections.

The relationship between infection control and hand hygiene was publicized in the United States as early as 1843 by Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes. Dr. Holmes and his European counterparts met with derision and resistance from the medical community, but persisted in educating the community, the government and future physicians about their concerns over improper hand hygiene. Though it took more than a century, hand hygiene procedures eventually became the norm in medical environments.

Bleach wipes can kill bacteria on household items like doorknobs and keyboards.
Bleach wipes can kill bacteria on household items like doorknobs and keyboards.

Today, most medical facilities accept the connection between infection control and hand hygiene. In an effort to provide the safest possible environment for patients, they write and enforce strict guidelines on the matter. Typical measures include hand washing with an antibacterial soap, use of hand products with a high alcohol content and use of hand sanitizers. Most policies also require health care providers to change gloves between patients.

Governmental and consumer-protection groups monitor the development and use of such policies in many areas. In some cases, failure to follow proper hygiene procedures can lead to fines or sanctions. Malpractice lawsuits may also result.

Hands should be washed for at least 15 to 20 seconds at a time to prevent spread of germs.
Hands should be washed for at least 15 to 20 seconds at a time to prevent spread of germs.

Proper hand hygiene is a part of most clinical health care curricula. Nurses, radiographic technicians, lab techs, doctors, surgical assistants, dental hygienists and others are trained to follow hygiene procedures. Segments on hand hygiene may also be taught in non-clinical health care courses such as medical office management and health care customer service. The goal of all such training modules is to make students aware of the connection between infection control and hand hygiene.

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    • Regular hand washing can help minimize the spread of infections.
      By: Lasse Kristensen
      Regular hand washing can help minimize the spread of infections.
    • Bleach wipes can kill bacteria on household items like doorknobs and keyboards.
      By: Norman Chan
      Bleach wipes can kill bacteria on household items like doorknobs and keyboards.
    • Hands should be washed for at least 15 to 20 seconds at a time to prevent spread of germs.
      By: S.Kobold
      Hands should be washed for at least 15 to 20 seconds at a time to prevent spread of germs.
    • Hand washing after changing a baby's diaper helps prevent the spread of infections like E. coli.
      By: AVAVA
      Hand washing after changing a baby's diaper helps prevent the spread of infections like E. coli.
    • Medical professionals use exam gloves because of the relationship between hand hygiene and infection control.
      By: Remains
      Medical professionals use exam gloves because of the relationship between hand hygiene and infection control.
    • It's important to exercise proper hygiene when sneezing to prevent the spread of infectious germs.
      By: roboriginal
      It's important to exercise proper hygiene when sneezing to prevent the spread of infectious germs.